Many of us have had the wonderful opportunity to ride, train, compete, or own an OTTB. And many of the OTTBs that we have in our lives come from CANTER, which is an organization that helps provide retiring racehorses opportunities for new careers. Here at Eventing Nation, we LOVE CANTER!  That is why we are excited to tell everyone in the EN world that CANTER is currently holding an online auction to benefit OTTBs. There are many items to bid on such as lessons with top professionals like Jimmy Wofford, Karen O’Connor, Bruce Davidson, Boyd Martin, Gina Miles and more. 2010 Rolex Groom Award winner, Suzanne Kunefal, is also donating her FULL grooming services for up to two horses at a one day horse trial anywhere in the midatlantic region. There are many, many more great items to bid on and the best part is the money is going to help many OTTBs. The auction is running now through November 22. So, jump in and start bidding!

Things that are more fun than doing your work–dressing dogs as hot dogs.

As most of you already know, John and this website have an amazing ability to completely derail you from an otherwise perfectly productive day.  While everything you read on the site is likely to fill you with information that is fascinating and exciting, it usually makes all other areas of your work-day useless. The ability for one to procrastinate in their daily “required” work is unparalleled. Sorry people, Eventing Nation is unfortunately not considered billable time. So, keeping with the true spirit of Eventing Nation: Instead of studying for my 3 exams this week, I have decided to create a little quiz for my fellow procrastinators. As with my favorite Microbiology teacher’s quizzes, one or more answers may be the correct response.  

Anyone who can even remotely answer any of the following questions will receive a night out dancing with John. I assure you, you will not be disappointed!

1.       You are driving home from an event, running very low on diesel. Upon pulling into the parking lot, you realize that despite all of the open gas pumps, a small car (note to the soccer mom crowd: most American mini-vans are NOT diesel) has decided to use the only gas pump that in fact blocks the diesel pump. You…

a.       Politely sit in your truck and wait for the car to move while secretly growing more and more agitated because the person has just gone inside to shop, use the bathroom, and browse through the terrible Buy 4, get 19 free movie section.

b.      Get out of the truck, ask the person if they would mind using a different pump because you are almost out of diesel and really need to fill up before you are completely out. The person then stares back at you while continuing to place the gas pump into their car. Wipe the blank stare off their face with a sweet left hook.

c.       Do the obvious: Pull your truck as close as possible to the car blocking your diesel pump. Laugh out loud while the person stands there looking panicked, thinking you are going to push them out of the way. Then take a picture and send it to your roommate, friends, and colleagues with the caption, “I needed #$$^$##% diesel.” Bonus points if truck bumper makes contact with said irritating non-diesel vehicle.

2.       Running late to class, work, meeting, or wherever you are headed, you burst into the room, throw your bag down, sit down, and then realize that everyone is now staring at you. It is not because you are late however; it is because you have spilled across the table the entire contents of your horse’s drug collection. You…

a.       Calmly put the items back into your bag while pretending that no one has in fact noticed and they are still staring at you only because you are clearly very good at doing your hair.

b.      Look around the room terrified and quietly say, “I would appreciate if you could all stop judging me, I am trying hard to get over last years downs in the best way possible. Heroin is the hardest one to kick.”

c.       Look the closest person in the eye, slowly wink and say “I’ll give you a good deal.”

 3.       Having left the barn after a long day, you head home to shower and dress as a “normal” clean person. After putting on your beautiful white shirt, you get into your frequent barn-visiting vehicle and drive to a place where clean humans go. Upon exiting your vehicle you get to your destination and are surrounded by non-horsey humans. Looking over your left shoulder, you realize that you have now sat in your horse’s green, gooey, slime of which people have now commented. You…

a.       Say, “mmm… Chocolate.” Then take your finger, swipe it over the stain and lick it.

b.      Explain to the people that your newborn baby (which they all know you do not have) has spit up on you and to prevent him or her from doing it to these fine, clean, people, you have left the baby in the car. Of course, you rolled the windows down for proper air flow.

c.       Take your shirt off, turn it inside out and completely ignore the fact you just got stared at for undressing in public.

4.       When approaching a jump at an angle (purposely) and the goal is to get your horse to the base in a very controlled canter, not let him take over if you get close to the jump, and prevent yourself from going completely blank in the mind. You should…

a.       Close your eyes and hope for the best while keeping at least one leg on.

b.      Sit up, close your leg and support off the ground

c.       Look down, wonder if there is any more room for your animal to put his feet, take your leg off, peer over his neck to support your feeling that yes in fact there is not another stride or any stride for that matter…. thus falling over your very large animal, while your air bag inflates, your very tall horse is now confused and tries to go to his knees in an effort to perhaps give you what you wanted all along – for your horse to lie down. You  then scream like a baby because your leg may be broken but turns to only have a small bruise.

d.      Quit riding.

Eventing Nation’s selections (or my personal choices) have been bolded for your viewing pleasure.

Ghost writer–your contributions were cheerfully accepted.

I learned a lot at the World Equestrain Games. First and foremost, I learned that there are quiet a few horses that I would give everything in my checking account ($71.62) to own or even to have the chance to sit on one time. Also, I was reminded that the partnerships between all the horses and their riders is something that has developed over years, and it is that partnership that brings these combinations to such a big moments in their careers. Along with all the highs and great emotions from the WEG, I was reminded that horses are humbling and one thrown shoe on cross country can close the door on an almost tangible dream. But that is horses. We love them and what they do for us through every high and every low.

Now that the World Games has left us and winter is falling upon us, its time to get inspired! The WEG left me feeling so inspired, as I hope it did you too! No matter what your goals are for next year, winter is a great time for practice and plotting for the spring (or bareback trail riding in the snow). So, what does your winter, WEG insprired, list look like?

All good things must come to an end. So here it is, your final medal count for the 2010 World Equestrian Games….

Great Britain- 9 Gold, 7 Silver, 3 Bronze, Total 19
Germany- 5 Gold, 5 Silver, 4 Bronze, Total 14
Netherlands- 5 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronz,e Total 9
America- 3 Gold, 2 Silver, 3 Bronze, Total 8
Belgium- 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze, Total 4
UAE- 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze, Total 3
Australia- 1 Gold, 2 Bronze, Total 3
Switzerland- 1 Gold, Total 1
Spain- 1 Gold, Total 1
Denmark- 3 Silver, 3 Bronze, Total 6
France- 2 Silver, 1 Bronze, Total 3
Canada- 1 Silver, 2 Bronze, Total 3
Saudi Arabia- 1 Silver, Total 1
New Zealand- 1 Bronze, Total 2
Italy- 1 Bronze, Total 1
Norway-1 Bronze, Total 1
Finland- 1 Bronze, Total 1
Austria- 1 Bronze, Total 1

Well I have returned home from the World Games in Kentucky and man did I have a fantastic time! It is incredible to see so many of the world’s top riders all in one place. While at the WEG, I learned a lot. The Europeans (and Canadians) will always be ahead of the USA in the fashion department. Sorry John, cowboy hats just are not the answer (I know you really liked them). The WEG is also probably the only horse show in the world where your pets are not allowed so unfortunately I had to leave my squirrel at home. Oh yeah, I also may have learned a thing or two about riding.

The niftiest thing about the World Equestrian Games is the diversity among the different equestrian sports. Of course, we all are reaching saturation point on Eventing results and are aware of how Endurance went, same for Dressage and Reining. However, yesterday saw the beginning of Para-Dressage.

Traditionally, just as in Eventing, Great Britain is a very strong country and looks to be no different this time around. Sophie Wells, 20, of Nottinghamshire, England took individual gold in the grade IV individual test scoring a 71.677% giving her a large lead over the Netherlands’ Frank Hosmar, and Denmark’s Henrik Weber Sibbesen.

In the grade III Hannelore Brenner and Women of the World took the gold. After the last team scoring, USA was unofficially in 8th with Laura Goldman on Carlingford JD as the highest placed America. For more team and individual results check out the Alltech FEI WEG site.

One of the most spectacular sports at the WEG is the vaulting which got underway today.

What country do you think will win the most medals at the World Games? As of now, confirmed country medals (all disciplines) are as follows…

USA- 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
GBR- 1 Gold, 2 Silver
UAE- 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
CAN- 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
GER- 1 Gold, 1 Bronze
NZL- 2 Bronze
NED- 1 Gold
ESP- 1 Gold
BEL- 1 Silver
FRA- 1 Silver
ITL- 1 Bronze